Johnson City TN vs Scottsdale AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 49.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 84.0% | 81.8% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $858,307 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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